UK Halts Some Intelligence Sharing with US Over Controversial Caribbean Boat Strikes

According to Rokna, citing CNN, the United Kingdom has stopped sharing intelligence with the United States regarding suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, citing concerns that the information could be used in US military strikes that London considers illegal, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The move represents a significant departure from the UK’s closest ally and long-time intelligence-sharing partner, highlighting growing doubts about the legality of US military operations in the region. For years, the UK, which maintains intelligence assets in several Caribbean territories, has assisted the US in locating suspected drug vessels so the Coast Guard could intercept them. This typically involved stopping the ships, boarding them, detaining their crew, and seizing illicit cargo.

Intelligence was generally routed to the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Florida, which includes representatives from multiple partner nations working to curb illegal drug trafficking.

However, after the US began conducting lethal strikes against the vessels in September, British officials became concerned that the intelligence they provided could be used to select targets. The strikes, which have reportedly killed 76 people, are considered by UK authorities to violate international law. The pause in intelligence sharing has reportedly been in effect for more than a month.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk also stated last month that the strikes constitute “extrajudicial killings” and violate international law—a position the UK reportedly shares.

Requests for comment from the British embassy in Washington and the White House were not answered. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment, stating that the department “doesn’t discuss intelligence matters.”

Prior to September, countering illicit drug trafficking in the region was primarily a law enforcement matter, with the Coast Guard treating cartel members and smugglers as criminals entitled to due process—a system the UK had supported.

The Trump administration, however, has argued that military action is justified because suspected traffickers are considered “enemy combatants” who pose an imminent threat to Americans and are engaged in an “armed conflict” with the US. A classified memo from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel supports this view, and the administration has designated certain drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.” The White House has repeatedly asserted that its actions comply with the Law of Armed Conflict, which aims to protect civilians.

Legal experts, however, note that the law still applies to civilian drug traffickers and that designation as a foreign terrorist organization does not automatically authorize lethal force. Reports indicate some targeted vessels were stationary or maneuvering away when attacked, casting doubt on claims that they posed an imminent threat that could not be addressed through interception.

Concerns about the legality of the campaign have also been raised by senior US defense officials. Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of US Southern Command, reportedly offered to resign last month after questioning the strikes’ legality. Holsey is set to leave his post in December, one year into his tenure as SOUTHCOM chief. Additionally, military lawyers within the Department of Defense have expressed doubts about the strikes, though spokespeople have denied any official dissent.

Canada, another long-standing US partner in Caribbean drug interdiction, has similarly distanced itself from the US military strikes. While continuing its collaboration with the Coast Guard under Operation Caribbean, Canada has made clear it does not want its intelligence used to target vessels for lethal strikes.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also announced that he has instructed his country’s security forces to suspend intelligence sharing with the US until the Caribbean attacks cease, emphasizing that the fight against drugs must respect the human rights of Caribbean populations.